Jakarta, (ANTARA News) - Director of Prevention and Control of Vector and Zoonotic Diseases, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, urged health care facilities to remain vigilant in the incidence of a fever to immediately think about the possibility of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) and pay attention to the pattern of additional cases.

"If there are dengue cases, epidemic investigations and focus control, such as fogging and larvicidal administration should be immediately conducted," Tarmizi stated in Jakarta on Tuesday.

She explained that there was a rapid movement team integrated between the center and the region, including an appeal to the school to activate the Eradication of Mosquito Nests (PSN).

To control the incidence of DHF, the Ministry of Health continues to coordinate with the Department of Health, especially in monitoring and activating DHF surveillance.

Based on data from the Extraordinary Events (KLB) from the Directorate of Prevention and Control of Vector and Zoonotic Diseases, there were 584 dengue cases in 2018 reported from six provinces and eight districts and cities.

In November 2018, the Ministry of Health had sent a circular letter to alert the increase in dengue cases to the governors. The Ministry of Health also takes precautionary measures with the Eradication of Mosquito Nests (PSN) and 3M +, in order to cover all water reservoirs or water sources, drain baths, recycle used goods, and sprinkle larvicidal powders on water reservoirs that are difficult to clean.

In addition, people are also advised to use mosquito repellent, mosquito nets during sleep, maintain mosquito larvae predators, plant mosquito repellent plants, regulate light and ventilation in the house, and avoid the habit of hanging clothes inside the house which can be a place for mosquito rest.

This needs to be done considering that dengue cases do not only occur in the rainy or transitional seasons but can also occur during the dry season if there are many pools where mosquitoes breed.

Reporting by Aditya Ramadhan, Eliswan Azly
Editing by Suharto

Reporter: Antara
Editor: Suharto
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